Boxing Champion Jermell Charlo Videotapes Alleged Racist Incident

Boxer Jermell Charlo alleges racial discrimination at a New York gym.

Jermell Charlo is in New York to support his brother's high profile tilt with Hugo Centeno for the interim Middleweight title. The fight is part of a Showtime tripleheader also features Floyd Mayweather's pupil Gervonta Davis and the controversial Adrien Broner. The full lineup makes up arguably the strongest fighting card the sport has to offer in 2018. He and identical-twin brother Jermall form the most recognizable gemini act in Boxing history, even at the relative beginning stages of their careers.

Jermell, not to be confused with his brother Jermall fighting this weekend, claims he and his crew were denied entry to Life Time Athletic gym in Manhattan over "skin color." To back his claims, Charlo recorded the tense encounter at the reception desk. Charlo can be heard offering an entreaty of $200 to no avail. The video in question does not show the staff mounting much of an argument in their defense. Charlo says he and his crew were discriminated upon over claims they "smelled like weed." Charlo insists that no one in his crew, including himself were carrying weed paraphernalia. To make matters worse, his twin brother was training downstairs.

The incident ended on ugly terms, with the reception desk calling 911. Charlo resorted to leaving with a sunken chest. The Police did not act out of compliance and the gym has not offered their side of the story, for fear of worsening the situation.